University President

E. Gordon Gee was named West Virginia University’s permanent president Monday. It's the third time he’s been asked to lead the state’s land-grant, flagship research University.

Gee, 70, first served as president from 1981-1985 – hired when he was just 36. He returned in January of this year for a term to replace the departing Jim Clements, and was asked by the WVU Board of Governors today to serve as the University’s permanent 24th president—pending a special meeting of the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission and its approval.

During an emergency meeting of the West Virginia University presidential search committee Friday, a motion was introduced by staff representative Dixie Martinelli, to take all necessary steps to retain the University’s current president, E. Gordon Gee, as the permanent president.

The motion, which asks the WVU Board of Governors to amend the search procedures and rescind a motion which stated the interim president would not be a candidate for the permanent post, was endorsed by the 20-person committee.

West Virginia University's Board of Governors has recommended the hiring of an interim president.

Without announcing a name, the board forwarded its recommendation for Jim Clements' temporary replacement to the West Virginia Higher Education Policy Commission. The commission meets Friday in South Charleston.

WVU Board chairman James Dailey says the board is "thrilled" with its selection.

The WVU board also set a goal of having a permanent president in place by next fall.